Registered dietitian Sarah Clark has been named Sturgis Hospital’s associate of the year for 2013. Clark, an 11-year employee, was nominated by marketing director Phyllis Youga, who made her nomination based on Clark’s customer service and dedication to serve others inside and outside the organization. Clark received $100 in Sturgis Chamber Dollars and a preferred parking spot for the first …

The Sturgis Electric Department has been given approval to proceed with the purchase of a new bucket truck and a mini-derrick aerial lift. The bucket truck and aerial lift will be purchased from Altec for a combined $ 221,528 and come from the motor-vehicle fund included in the current year’s budget. It is intended to replace a 2002 model in …

Naomi Grace Jackson, age 61, of Three Rivers, passed away suddenly on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at Borgess Medical Center. She was born on January 4, 1953 in Three Rivers, MI., the daughter of the late Willard Edson and Gladys (Cochran) Slack. Ms. Jackson has been a lifetime resident of this area. She owned and operated several foster care homes …

Gerald Disney Vogt, age 88, of Klinger Lake, Sturgis, passed away early Thursday morning, Feb. 20, 2014, at his home. He was born May 19, 1925, in Sturgis, a son of the late John W. and Olive Caroline (Disney) Vogt. Jerry was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1944. He continued …

Wallace Earl Bristow, 68, of Colon, died Monday at his home. Wally was born Dec, 3, 1945, in Aberdeen, N.C., to the late Harris L. Bristow and Una M Bristow “Allred.” Wally graduated and served in the U.S. Navy from 1964-1966. In 1975, he married Ottilie Bristow and they lived in Taylor until they moved to Sturgis in 1996. Wally …

A Leonidas man was arrested Wednesday following a police pursuit originating in Sturgis. Randall Wood, 39, is being held on a parole absconder warrant along with charges of fleeing and eluding, and hit-and-run. According to Sturgis police, the pursuit began around 10:30 a.m., when a Sturgis officer in an unmarked patrol vehicle saw Wood’s vehicle strike a light pole near …

The Three Rivers Fire Department earlier this week responded to a report of a natural-gas break. Department officials said they received a call shortly before 5 p.m. Monday regarding the smell of gas at 96 Fifth Ave. after a representative from SEMCO sought assistance. The gas meter and electricity to the building was shut off, as its interior had a …

A line of shoppers formed outside the new Aldi grocery store in advance of its opening Thursday morning. Located at the southeast corner of U.S. 131 and Broadway Road in front of Home Depot, the new Aldi is the 61st in Michigan. Company officials said about 95 percent of the 1,400 items inside the 10,000-square-foot store are store-label brands. District …

Rolene L. French, age 80, of Coldwater, passed away, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014, at Community Health Center of Branch County. Rolene was born Sept. 3, 1933, in Matteson Township, a daughter of the late Merton E. and Golda C. (Hovarter) French. Rolene had lived in Branch County all her life and was a member of the former Matteson Brethren Church. …

The state Senate has approved the immediate spending of 100-million dollars for “special winter road maintenance” funds. The vote follows concerns from local road commissions who say they’ve already spent most or all of their winter budgets. Not everyone is ready to back the amount of spending however. Both the governor and Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville were non committal …